Equitable Representation
Leonid Mikityanskiy is an experienced Bucks County child support and modification attorney with over 15 years of providing expert legal representation in matters related to establishing, modifying, and enforcing child support orders and agreements in Bucks County and Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. We understand the complexities involved in child support cases and dedicate our efforts to ensuring fair and equitable solutions for our clients.
Understanding Child Support in Pennsylvania
Child support is a financial obligation that the non-custodial parent pays to the custodial parent to cover the expenses associated with raising a child. The non-custodial parent typically makes this payment monthly until the child reaches adulthood or becomes emancipated. A child generally becomes an adult at age 18 in Pennsylvania if the child has graduated from high school.
Key Aspects of Child Support:
- Establishment of Support – Child support obligations arise during divorce proceedings or when unmarried parents need to establish support obligations. Paternity may need to be confirmed if the father is not named on the birth certificate (in other words, contested paternity).
- Payment Process – Support payments are made directly to the custodial parent or through Pennsylvania’s centralized State Collection and Disbursement Unit (SCDU) if there is a court order.
- Calculation of Child Support – The guidelines established by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court (231 Pa. Code Rule 1910.16-1 et seq.) determine child support amounts. Specifically, the calculations consider income levels, assets, liabilities, and other factors. Parents may agree to deviate from these guidelines, but deviations must be justified and approved by the court.
Considerations in Child Support Orders, Modifications and Agreements:
- Other support obligations and household income.
- Ages and special needs of the children.
- Medical expenses not covered by insurance.
- Standard of living and best interests of the children.
- Education expenses, including private and religious schools.
- Childcare and extracurricular activities.
- Health insurance and unreimbursed healthcare expenses.
Enforcement and Violations of Child Support in Bucks County
If a non-custodial parent fails to meet their child support obligations, enforcement measures may include wage garnishment, seizure of bank accounts, or even suspension of licenses and jail time for contempt of court.
Child Support Modification in Bucks County
Child support orders can be subject to modification when there is a significant, involuntary change in circumstances:
- Changes in residential custody or the child’s needs.
- Significant income changes of either parent.
- Loss of employment or new employment opportunities.
- Increased Medical or Educational Expenses
To that end, a child support suspension or modification petition must be filed in court, and any changes are retroactive to the filing date. It’s important to remember to file promptly to avoid accumulating arrears. On the other hand, verbal agreements between the parties to modify a child support order are not legally effective.
